Inmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio

ABSTRACT

Inmate text communication can include communicating a text message through a server via a Wi-Fi radio, where the Wi-Fi radio is associated with an active predetermined and unique telephone number selected from a group of reserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application62/497,278 filed Nov. 15, 2016, which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Communications can enable inmates housed in penal institutions, such asincarceration and/or correctional facilities, to interact with friends,family, and/or others. For example, a communication can permit a visitorto interact with an inmate housed in penal institution while the visitoris at the penal institution and/or while the visitor is remotely locatedfrom the penal institution. Such communications may have securityconsiderations and/or privacy considerations, among other considerationsassociated therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for inmate text communicationvia Wi-Fi radio consistent with the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a display of a user interface forinmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio consistent with thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a display of a user interface forinmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio consistent with thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a display of a user interface forinmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio consistent with thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an example of an inmate messaging devicesuitable for inmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio consistent withthe disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a system for inmate text communicationvia Wi-Fi radio consistent with the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a method for inmate text communicationvia Wi-Fi radio consistent with the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Communication between inmates and others, such as friends and/or familymembers, can occur in person, such as when a friend, family member, orother person visits an inmate at a penal institution, or remotely, viatelephone, electronic mail (email), or other mechanisms. Penalinstitutions, such as incarceration and/or correctional facilities,refer to a location(s) including prisons and/or jails, among other typesof incarceration facilities, which house inmates. An inmate refers to anincarcerated person, for instance, those in an incarceration facility.An incarceration facility such as a prison, may, for example, allow acommunication between an inmate of the prison and a customer. A customercan refer to a family member, significant other, friend, and/or legalrepresentative of an inmate that communicates with an inmate, amongother customers that may communicate with an inmate.

Allowing communication between inmates and customers can be desirablefor incarceration facilities. For instance, allowing communicationbetween an inmate and a family member may promote good behavior by theinmate from the perspective of the incarceration facility. However,allowing an inmate to communicate with customers in some circumstancesmay be detrimental, such as when an inmate may be furthering criminalactivity by communicating with a customer.

It can be desirable to provide an inmate with a way to communicate withcustomers while discouraging further criminal activity. For instance,providing inmates access to telephones and/or electronic mail can allowan inmate to communicate with a customer while allowing, when legallypermissible, incarceration facility staff, law enforcement, and/or legalcounsel, among others, to monitor, record, and/or review thosecommunications. However, inmate access to these methods of communicationmay be limited, for instance, by time, as other inmates may be waitingto use telephones or email. Further, an inmate may not have theirdesired level of privacy as other inmates may be waiting in proximity touse telephones or email.

In contrast, examples of the present disclosure include methods,systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions for textcommunication via Wi-Fi radio, as is described herein. An inmate can,for example, be assigned an inmate messaging device with textcommunication capabilities. The inmate may carry the inmate messagingdevice with them during certain times of the day, and may communicate(e.g., send and/or receive) text communications via a Wi-Fi radioincluded with the inmate messaging device at their leisure. Wherepermissible, the text communications may be reviewable by incarcerationfacility staff, law enforcement, and/or legal counsel, among others. Inthis manner, text communication via Wi-Fi radio can provide inmates witha way to communicate with customers while maintaining a degree ofprivacy from other inmates, which can promote positive inmate behavior.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system 100 for inmate textcommunication via Wi-Fi radio consistent with the disclosure. As shownin FIG. 1, system 100 includes an incarceration facility 102, inmatemessaging devices 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-N (referred to collectivelyas inmate messaging devices 104), mobile devices 106-1, 106-2, 106-3,106-N (referred to collectively as mobile devices 106), and server 108.

Inmate messaging devices 104, such as inmate messaging device 104-1, candisplay a keyboard on a user interface of the inmate messaging device104-1. For example, inmate messaging device 104-1 can display a QWERTYkeyboard such that a user of inmate messaging device 104-1 can inputtext or other inputs to inmate messaging device 104-1. As used herein, aQWERTY keyboard refers to a keyboard layout in which the first six keysof the top left letter row are QWERTY.

Although inmate messaging devices 104 are described as displaying aQWERTY keyboard, examples of the disclosure are not so limited. Forexample, inmate messaging device 104 can display any other keyboardlayout.

Inmate messaging devices 104 represent electronic devices that cangenerate and/or receive electronic data and/or facilitate textcommunication via Wi-Fi radio, among other capabilities. Examples ofinmate messaging devices 104 can include inmate messaging deviceincluding a capability to wirelessly transmit data, such as textmessages, via a Wi-Fi radio.

Each inmate messaging device 104 can include a Wi-Fi radio. As usedherein, the term “Wi-Fi radio” can, for example, refer to a radioincluding an antenna capable of transmitting and/or receiving dataaccording to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 802.11 standard. As used herein, the term “antenna” can, forexample, refer to a device that converts electric power into radiowaves, and/or vice versa.

Inmate messaging devices 104 can communicate a text message with mobiledevices 106 via the Wi-Fi radios of each inmate messaging device 104. Atext message can include a short message service (SMS) message and/or amultimedia messaging service (MMS) message. As used herein, the term“SMS message” can, for example, refer to a text messaging servicecomponent using standardized communication protocols to enable textmessages to be sent and/or received between devices. As used herein, theterm “MMS message” can, for example, refer to a text messaging servicecomponent using standardized communication protocols to enable textmessages that may include media content to be sent and/or receivedbetween devices.

As used herein, the term “mobile device” can, for example, refer to adevice including a processing resource, memory, and input/outputinterfaces for wired and/or wireless communication. For example, amobile device may include a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a phone(e.g., a smart phone), a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA),smart glasses, and/or a wrist-worn device (e.g., a smart watch), amongother types of mobile devices, although examples of the disclosure arenot limited to such devices.

An inmate can request an inmate messaging device 104 from, for example,incarceration facility staff. An inmate may be assigned an inmatemessaging device 104 for text communication via a Wi-Fi radio. In orderto receive the inmate messaging device 104, an inmate may have to agreeto a user agreement. The user agreement can set conditions for use ofinmate messaging device 104 by an inmate, including text communicationlimitations, funding agreements, and/or legal disclaimers.

Incarceration facility staff may input information about the inmateand/or the inmate messaging device 104 into server 108 in response tothe inmate being assigned an inmate messaging device 104. For example,inmate information and/or inmate messaging device information can bestored in server 108, as is further described herein.

An inmate may be prevented from receiving an inmate messaging device104. For example, an inmate who may have destroyed or caused an inmatemessaging device 104 to be destroyed can be prevented from receivinganother inmate messaging device 104. The inmate can be stored on a listof inmates not allowed to be issued inmate messaging devices 104. Thelist may be stored on server 108.

The Wi-Fi radio of each inmate messaging device 104 can be associatedwith an active predetermined and unique telephone number selected from agroup of reserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers. Forexample, a group of telephone numbers may be reserved such that they maybe assigned to inmate messaging devices 104, where the inmate messagingdevices 104 are assigned to inmates at incarceration facility 102.

Each respective telephone number of the group of reserved predeterminedand unique telephone numbers can be a North American Numbering Plannumber. The Wi-Fi radio of each inmate messaging device 104 can beassociated with unique telephone numbers that can include a numberingplan area code, central office exchange code, and a subscriber number.For example, the Wi-Fi radio of inmate messaging device 104-1 can havean active predetermined and unique telephone number that is999-555-1001, and the Wi-Fi radio of inmate messaging device 104-2 canhave an active predetermined and unique telephone number that is999-555-1515.

The group of reserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers caninclude a numbering plan area code associated with an area includingincarceration facility 102. For example, the area code of the group ofreserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers can be an area codeassociated with a geographic area including incarceration facility 102.As an example, each respective telephone number included in the group ofreserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers can include the areacode “999”.

The active predetermined and unique telephone number of each inmatemessaging device 104 can be associated with a user of each inmatemessaging device 104. That is, inmate messaging devices 104 can beassigned to inmates, and an active predetermined and unique telephonenumber of each assigned inmate messaging device 104 can be associatedwith an inmate assigned the specific inmate messaging device 104. Forexample, inmate “John Doe” may be assigned inmate messaging device104-1, where the Wi-Fi radio of inmate messaging device 104-1 isassociated with the active predetermined and unique telephone number999-555-1001. Using this active predetermined and unique telephonenumber, a customer utilizing a mobile device such as mobile device 106-1can send a text message to 999-555-1001, and inmate “John Doe” mayreceive the text message via inmate messaging device 104-1, as isfurther described herein.

Inmate messaging devices 104 do not include a cellular radio. Stateddifferently, each inmate device of the inmate messaging devices 104 doesnot include a cellular radio. As used herein, the term “cellular radio”can, for example, refer to a radio including an antenna capable oftransmitting and/or receiving data according to standards for cellularnetworks, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)standards and/or Code division multiple access (CDMA) standards, amongother standards for cellular networks. For example, inmate messagingdevices 104 do not include a cellular radio and as such, are not able tocommunicate on GSM or CDMA cellular networks, among other types ofcellular networks. The lack of a cellular radio may be desirable toprohibit an inmate from making a telephone call and/or sending textmessages via a GSM and/or CDMA cellular network.

Inmate messaging devices 104 can communicate the text message via theInternet. That is, each inmate messaging device 104 can communicate atext message via the Wi-Fi radio of each inmate messaging device 104 inaccordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. For example, incarcerationfacility 102 can include a wireless local area network (WLAN) that caninclude at least one access point (AP) (not shown in FIG. 1). Inmatemessaging devices 104 can communicate with the server 108 using theInternet via the AP and WLAN.

An AP can refer to a networking device that allows a client device(e.g., an inmate messaging device) to connect to a wired or wirelessnetwork. As used herein, the term “access point” (AP) can, for example,refer to receiving points for any known or convenient wireless accesstechnology which may later become known. Specifically, the term AP isnot intended to be limited to IEEE 802.11-based APs. APs generallyfunction as an electronic device that is adapted to allow wirelessdevices to connect to a wired network via various communicationsstandards. An AP can include a processing resource, memory, and/orinput/output interfaces, including wired network interfaces such as IEEE802.3 Ethernet interfaces, as well as wireless network interfaces suchas IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi interfaces, although examples of the disclosure arenot limited to such interfaces. An AP can include a memory resource,including read-write memory, and a hierarchy of persistent memory suchas ROM, EPROM, and/or Flash memory.

As used herein, the term “wireless local area network” (WLAN) can, forexample, refer to a communications network that links two or moredevices using some wireless distribution method (for example,spread-spectrum or orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing radio),and usually providing a connection through an access point to theInternet; and thus, providing users with the mobility to move aroundwithin a local coverage area and still stay connected to the network.

The inmate messaging devices 104 can communicate a text message via theWi-Fi radio of inmate messaging devices 104 utilizing an AP and a WLANof incarceration facility 102. That is, the Wi-Fi radio of inmatemessaging devices 104 can communicate text messages through the AP andWLAN of incarceration facility 102, via server 108, with mobile devices106.

Inmate messaging devices 104 can send a text message to mobile devices106 and/or receive a text message from mobile devices 106. For example,the Wi-Fi radio of inmate messaging device 104-1 can send, through theAP and WLAN of incarceration facility 102, via server 108, a textmessage to mobile device 106-1. Inmate messaging device 104-1 canreceive, via server 108 and through the AP and WLAN of incarcerationfacility 102, a text message from mobile device 106-1. Inmate messagingdevice 104-1 can send the text message to mobile device 106-1 using theunique telephone number associated with mobile device 106-1, and mobiledevice 106-1 can send the text message to inmate messaging device 104-1using the active predetermined and unique phone number assigned toinmate messaging device 104-1 (e.g., 999-555-1001), described above.

Although server 108 is shown in FIG. 1 as being remote fromincarceration facility 102, examples of the disclosure are not solimited. For example, server 108 can be located at incarcerationfacility 102.

Server 108 can prevent communication of a text message in response to atelephone number of the mobile device 106 being included in a list ofrestricted mobile devices. Inmate messaging device 104 may be restrictedfrom communicating text messages to certain mobile devices. In someexamples, an inmate may be restricted from communicating with mobiledevices of witnesses, victims, opposing legal counsel, and/or judges,among others. In some examples, an inmate may be restricted fromcommunicating with inmate messaging devices associated with otherinmates, where the inmate messaging devices may be associated with otherinmates at incarceration facility 102 or associated with other inmatesat other incarceration facilities. For instance, an inmate using inmatemessaging device 104-1 may try to communicate a text message to a mobiledevice 106-1 with a telephone number included in the list of restrictedmobile devices. The text message sent by inmate messaging device 104-1via the Wi-Fi radio of inmate messaging device 104-1 can be sent,through the AP and WLAN of incarceration facility 102, to server 108,where server 108 prevents the text message from being communicated tomobile device 106-1.

Server 108 may store a list of restricted mobile devices. The list caninclude telephone numbers associated with restricted mobile devices. Forexample, if an inmate attempts to send a text message to a mobile deviceincluded in the restricted list of mobile devices, server 108 canprevent the delivery of the text message from the inmate messagingdevice 104 of the inmate to the mobile device included in the list ofrestricted mobile devices. Notably, even messages prevented fromdelivery can be stored, for example, in server 108 or otherwise, topermit access to communication information (e.g., content of a textmessage) of the prevented messages to incarceration facility staff, lawenforcement, and/or legal counsel, among others that may review suchmessages even though such messages are prevented from delivery to theinmate messaging device 104.

Server 108 can store communication information corresponding to textmessages communicated by inmate messaging devices 104 and/orcommunication information of messages prevented from delivery to theinmate messaging device 104. For example, a text message can includeinformation including the text of the text message, the telephone numberof the mobile device 106 the text message is communicated to and/orfrom, and/or inmate messaging device information, among othercommunication information, which may be saved by server 108.

Communication information can include, but is not limited to, inmateinformation such as an inmate's name, jail identification number, and/ordate of birth, inmate messaging device information such as the inmatemessaging device identification number, the active predetermined andunique telephone number of the inmate messaging device 104, and/or thedevice password selected by the inmate, account funding information suchas account balance and/or how the account balance was funded (e.g.,funding transactions), and/or text message information such as messagessent, messages received, messages rejected, the content ofsent/received/rejected messages, telephone numbers associated withmobile device 104 messages are sent to/received from by the inmatemessaging device 104, revenue information, usage reports, among othercommunication information. Communication information may be stored for apredetermined and/or configurable length of time.

Communication information may be reviewed by incarceration facilitystaff, law enforcement, and/or legal counsel, among others, whereapplicable and/or legally permissible. For example, communicationinformation stored on server 108 may be searchable and/or thecommunication may be exportable. The communication information may beused as investigatory and/or evidentiary material, among other purposes.

Server 108 can prevent some or all of inmate messaging devices 104 fromcommunicating text messages at a predetermined time. Server 108 canprevent communication of text messages to and/or from inmate messagingdevices 104 at various scheduled times. For example, server 108 canprevent communication of text messages during predetermined timeperiods, such as during inmate transfers, at night, etc. For instance,an inmate using inmate messaging device 104-1 may try to communicate atext message to mobile device 106-1 during the predetermined time whencommunication of text messages is prevented/prohibited. The text messagesent by inmate messaging device 104-1 via the Wi-Fi radio of inmatemessaging device 104-1 can be sent, through the AP and WLAN ofincarceration facility 102, to server 108, where server 108 prevents thetext message from being communicated to mobile device 106-1. Server 108can prevent communication of a text message from mobile devices 106 toinmate messaging devices 104 in the same manner.

Server 108 can monitor and/or log usage information of inmate messagingdevices 104. For instance, each inmate messaging device 104 may beassigned an equipment number, and server 108 can monitor and/or logusage information of each inmate messaging device 104 based on theinmate messaging device equipment numbers. For example, server 108 canmonitor and/or log battery levels of each inmate messaging device 104.In an example in which server 108 is unable to monitor and/or log usageinformation of inmate messaging device 104-1, incarceration facilitystaff or others may be able to determine whether the battery of inmatemessaging device 104-1 has been discharged, or if inmate messagingdevice 104-1 has been taken off the premises of incarceration facility102.

Inmate messaging devices 104 can operate in a single application modewhen communicating a text message via the Wi-Fi radio. As used herein,the term “single application mode” can, for example, refer to a mode ofoperation of inmate messaging devices 104 in which interaction andcontrol of functions of inmate messaging devices 104 other thancommunication of text messages are disabled. That is, inmate messagingdevices 104 may be restricted to communication of text messages byinmates.

Inmate messaging device 104 can communicate a text message in responseto an account associated with the inmate messaging device 104 having asufficient monetary balance. That is, there can be a monetary costassociated with each text message sent and/or each text messagereceived. When an inmate is assigned an inmate messaging device 104(e.g., inmate messaging device 104-1), an account is associated with theinmate messaging device 104 linked to an active predetermined and uniquetelephone number. Each inmate messaging device 104 can have an accountassociated with the inmate messaging device 104 that may be funded byvarious mechanisms so that an inmate can send and/or receive textmessages, as is described herein. If there is an insufficient monetarybalance in an account associated with an inmate messaging device 104,inmate messaging device 104 may not send a text message or receive atext message.

For example, each text message that is sent by inmate messaging device104-1 can cost $0.09, and each text message that is received by aninmate messaging device 104-1 can cost $0.09. Hence, $0.09 can besubtracted from the account balance for inmate messaging device 104-1each time a text message is sent from inmate messaging device 104-1, and$0.09 can be subtracted from the account balance for inmate messagingdevice 104-1 each time a text message is received or opened from inmatemessaging device 104-1. In an instance where the account associated withinmate messaging device 104-1 has less than $0.09 available, inmatemessaging device 104-1 may not be able to communicate a text message.

Although the cost for communicating a text message by inmate messagingdevices 104 is described above as being $0.09 per communication,examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For instance, the costfor communicating a text message can be configurable (e.g., the cost canbe more or less than $0.09 per communication).

In some examples, an inmate may have to pay a rental fee to be assignedan inmate messaging device 104. The rental fee may be a periodic fee(e.g., monthly), such as $4 per month, although examples of thedisclosure are not limited to a $4 rental fee per month. For instance,the rental fee can be configurable (e.g., the rental fee can be higheror lower than $4 per month). In some examples, the rental fee may be aone-time fee.

An account associated with an inmate messaging device 104 may be fundedby receiving, via a user interface of the inmate messaging device 104,funding via a funding mechanism. For example, an inmate or a customermay purchase a telephone card, and may input payment information fromthe telephone card into inmate messaging device 104-1 via the userinterface of inmate messaging device 104-1 to fund the accountassociated with inmate messaging device 104-1. As used herein, the term“telephone card” can, for example, refer to a card having a monetarystored-value system, which can be accessible via an access telephonenumber and a personal identification number (PIN), where the card may ormay not be a physical card.

An account associated with an inmate messaging device 104 may be fundedby communicating, via a Wi-Fi radio of an inmate messaging device 104, apredefined funding request text message to a mobile device 106. Thepredefined funding request text message can be a preprogrammed textmessage that can be sent to a mobile device 106 of a customer, where thepreprogrammed text message can direct the customer to a web site (e.g.,via a web link) to fund the account associated with the inmate messagingdevice 104 sending the predefined funding request text message. As anexample, a predefined funding request text message may say “An accountassociated with inmate John Doe is out of funds. Please visit [web link]to fund the account associated with John Doe's inmate messaging device.Demo County Jail.” Once a customer has funded the account associatedwith the inmate messaging device 104, the inmate may be able tocommunicate text messages.

An inmate may send a predefined amount of predefined funding requesttext messages per day. For example, an inmate with inmate messagingdevice 104-1 may send five predefined funding request text messages tovarious mobile devices 106 per day. The amount of predefined fundingrequest text messages per day may be configurable (e.g., there can bemore than five or less than five predefined funding request textmessages per day), such as by incarceration facility staff or others.

Inmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio, according to the disclosure,can allow for inmates to communicate with customers while incarceratedusing an inmate messaging device with a Wi-Fi radio. The inmate cancarry the inmate messaging device with them and send and/or receive textcommunications at their leisure. Inmates can keep in contact withfriends and family members while maintaining a degree of privacy withrespect to other inmates as to their communications. This can allowinmates to send information to customers, such as generalcorrespondence, court dates, fines, release dates, schedulingvisitation, phone call times, etc. Allowing inmates text communicationprivileges can keep inmates busy, which can reduce problems arising fromboredom, such as complaints, arguments, and/or altercations betweeninmates and/or incarceration facility staff. Allowing inmates to stay incontact with customers can decrease recidivism rates once an inmate isreleased.

Inmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio can, according to thedisclosure, provide benefits to incarceration facility staff, lawenforcement and/or legal counsel. For example, incidents between inmatesmay be reduced. Text messages and other information can be easilyreviewable by law enforcement and/or others, which may be used forevidentiary or other purposes.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a display of a user interface 210 forinmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio consistent with thedisclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the user interface 210 can include textmessage access 212, account access 214, contacts 216-1 and 216-2, andblocked contact 218.

User interface 210 can include text message access 212. As shown in FIG.2, text message access 212 can display text message conversations. Forexample, an inmate utilizing an inmate messaging device (e.g., inmatemessaging device 104, previously described in connection with FIG. 1)displaying user interface 210 may have two text message conversationswith contacts 216-1 and 216-2. Contact 216-1 may be a customer by thename “John Smith” who has a mobile device (e.g., mobile device 106,previously described in connection with FIG. 1) with the associatedtelephone number “999-555-1212”. Similarly, contact 216-2 may be acustomer by the name “Jane Doe” who has a mobile device with theassociated telephone number “999-555-1111”.

The inmate may communicate text messages with contacts 216-1 and/or216-2 using the inmate messaging device. For example, the inmate mayselect contact 216-1 to send and/or receive a text message from JohnSmith. The selection of John Smith, by the inmate via user interface210, can generate a window (not shown) that can display previously sentand/or received text messages, as well as a keyboard allowing the inmateto input, via user interface 210, text to be sent as a text message.

The inmate messaging device can reject a text message sent from a mobiledevice to the inmate messaging device in response to an input to theinmate messaging device. As described in connection with FIG. 1, amonetary cost can be incurred by communicating a text message with amobile device. For instance, an inmate may receive a text message, andincur a cost when opening the received text message to view the contentsof the text message. In some instances, a customer may send textmessages to an inmate that the inmate may not want to see, andcorrespondingly, may not want to pay for. Prior to incurring themonetary cost for the received text message, an inmate can reject thereceived text message via a user input to the user interface 210 of theinmate messaging device.

For example, the inmate can select an option (not shown) to reject thereceived text message prior to opening the received text message to viewthe contents of the text message. By so doing, the inmate may avoid thecost of the received text message. In some examples, the contents of therejected text message can simply not be displayed on user interface 210.In some examples, the rejected text message can be removed from theinmate messaging device, in order to prevent an inmate from accidentallyopening a rejected text message and incurring a monetary cost. In bothof the above examples, the contents of the rejected text message can besaved on a server (e.g., server 108, previously described in connectionwith FIG. 1) for review regardless of the action taken by the inmate.

The inmate messaging device can accept a text message sent from a mobiledevice to the inmate messaging device in response to an input to theinmate messaging device. For example, an inmate may receive a textmessage from, for instance, contact 216-1. An icon (not shown) mayindicate a new text message from contact 216-1, and an inmate can acceptthe text message sent from the mobile device of contact 216-1 byselecting the icon to open the new text message from contact 216-1.Opening the new text message to view the contents of the text messagecan incur a cost for communicating a text message.

The inmate messaging device can block a mobile device from communicatingfuture text messages in response to a user input. For example, an inmatecan block certain mobile devices from communicating text messages withthe inmate messaging device. For instance, as shown in FIG. 2, userinterface 210 indicates that blocked contact 218 has been blocked by theinmate from communicating text messages to the inmate. By blocking amobile device, the inmate has effectively prevented the mobile devicewith associated telephone number “999-555-2222” from communicating textmessages with the inmate's messaging device. Text messages sent from theblocked mobile device can be saved in a server (e.g., for review), butmay not be received by the inmate messaging device and accordingly, notincur a monetary cost for the inmate.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, in some examples the user interface 210can display an amount of text messages left that can be communicatedaccording to the monetary balance in the account associated with theinmate messaging device. Display of the amount of text messages that canbe communicated can allow an inmate to easily determine how many textmessages may be sent and/or received according to their monetary balancein their account. The inmate can plan accordingly to send and/or receivemore important text messages, and/or know to provide additional fundingto the account associated with the inmate messaging device.

User interface 210 can include account access 214. An inmate can accessaccount information via account access 214, where an inmate can viewmonetary account and/or balance information, add funds, etc., as isfurther described in connection with FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a display of a user interface 317 forinmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio consistent with thedisclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the user interface 317 can include userinformation 319 and device password input 321.

User interface 317 can include user information 319. As shown in FIG. 3,user information 319 can include the name of the incarceration facility(e.g., incarceration facility 102, previously described in connectionwith FIG. 1) utilizing the inmate messaging device (e.g., inmatemessaging device 104, previously described in connection with FIG. 1),as well as the name of the inmate associated with the inmate messagingdevice. For example, the inmate messaging device having the userinterface 317 may be in use at “Demo County Jail” and assigned to inmate“Adam Smith”.

The inmate messaging device can be unlocked in response to receiving adevice password associated with the inmate messaging device andcommunicate a text message without receipt of an application levelpassword in response to receiving, via a keyboard, an input to theinmate messaging device. For example, inmate Adam Smith may be assignedthe inmate messaging device having user interface 317. Inmate Adam Smithcan choose a device password, such as a PIN number, so that Adam Smithis the inmate that can communicate text messages on that inmatemessaging device, while preventing other inmates from accessing AdamSmith's assigned inmate messaging device to communicate text messages.Adam Smith may access the inmate messaging device to communicate textmessages by inputting, via device password input 321, Adam Smith'schosen device password.

Inmate Adam Smith may choose the device password so that other inmatesmay not access Adam Smith's assigned inmate messaging device. However,the chosen device password may be stored on a server such thatincarceration facility staff, law enforcement, and/or legal counsel mayaccess the inmate messaging device.

In some examples, the device password may be generated for the inmate.For example, the device password for Adam Smith's assigned inmatemessaging device may be randomly generated, for instance, byincarceration facility staff.

Upon entry of the device password via device password input 321, theinmate messaging device may be utilized to send and/or receive textmessages. No other passwords or other access mechanisms, such asapplication level passwords, may be present in order to access textmessage communication capabilities of the inmate messaging device.

Restricting access to inmate messaging devices via a device password cangive an inmate assigned the inmate messaging device privacy from otherinmates. The device password can prevent other inmates from accessingthe inmate messaging device and communicating unwanted text messages,thereby preventing unwanted costs associated with text messagecommunication for the inmate assigned the inmate messaging device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a display of a user interface 420 forinmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio consistent with thedisclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the user interface 420 can include textmessage access 412 (e.g., text message access 212, previously describedin connection with FIG. 2), account access 414 (e.g., account access214, previously described in connection with FIG. 2), activepredetermined and unique telephone number 423, load phone card 425,account history 427, request funds 429, and help 431.

User interface 420 can include active predetermined and unique telephonenumber 423. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, inmate “Adam Smith” canhave been assigned an inmate messaging device, and the Wi-Fi radio ofthe inmate messaging device can have an active predetermined and uniquetelephone number 423 that is “218-429-4387”.

User interface 420 can include load phone card 425. For example, aninmate or a customer may purchase a telephone card. Payment informationfrom the telephone card may be input into the inmate messaging device byselecting load phone card 425. The telephone card input through loadphone card 425 can fund the account associated with the inmate messagingdevice.

User interface 420 can include account history 427. Account history 427can be accessed by an inmate assigned the inmate messaging device or byincarceration facility staff, law enforcement, and/or legal counsel,among others. Account history 427 can include account balance, fundingtransactions, messaging transactions, rental fees, credits (e.g.,general credits), etc.

User interface 420 can include request funds 429. As previouslydescribed in connection with FIG. 1, an account associated with theinmate messaging device may be funded by communicating a predefinedfunding request text message. The inmate can select request funds 429 tocause the inmate messaging device to communicate a preprogrammed textmessage to direct a customer to a web site to fund the accountassociated with the inmate messaging device. For example, the predefinedfunding request text message may say “An account associated with inmateAdam Smith is out of funds. Please visit [web link] to fund the accountassociated with Adam Smith's inmate messaging device. Demo County Jail.”As shown in FIG. 4, the user interface 420 can indicate to the inmatethey have five predefined funding request text messages left to be sentfor the particular time period (e.g., five predefined funding requesttext messages left to be sent for that day).

User interface 420 can include help 431. In some examples, an inmate maybe able to access frequently asked questions regarding how to utilizethe inmate messaging device for text message communication by selectinghelp 431. In some examples, an inmate may be able to access a supportchat by selecting help 431. For instance, an inmate may be able torequest help in utilizing the inmate messaging device for text messagecommunication by utilizing a support chat, where the inmate messagingdevice communicates with a support chat via the server through an AP andWLAN of the incarceration facility. The support chat may be operated byincarceration facility staff or others via the server previouslydescribed in connection with FIG. 1.

An inmate utilizing inmate messaging device can switch from accountaccess 414 to text message access 412 by selecting text message access412. The inmate may then view and/or communicate text messages from textmessage access 412.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an example of an inmate messaging device504 suitable for inmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio consistentwith the disclosure. Inmate messaging device 504 can include aprocessing resource 522, a memory resource 524, and a Wi-Fi radio 526.Memory resource 524 can include machine-readable instructions, includingcommunicate a text message via a Wi-Fi radio instructions 528.

Processing resource 522 may be a central processing unit (CPU), asemiconductor based microprocessor, and/or other hardware devicessuitable for retrieval and execution of machine-readable instructions428 stored in a memory resource 524. Processing resource 522 may fetch,decode, and execute instructions 528. As an alternative or in additionto retrieving and executing instructions 528, processing resource 522may include a plurality of electronic circuits that include electroniccomponents for performing the functionality of instructions 528.

Memory resource 524 may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or otherphysical storage device that stores executable instructions 528 and/ordata. Thus, memory resource 524 may be, for example, Random AccessMemory (RAM), an Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory(EEPROM), a storage drive, an optical disc, and the like. Memoryresource 524 may be disposed within inmate messaging device 504, asshown in FIG. 5. Additionally and/or alternatively, memory resource 524may be a portable, external or remote storage medium, for example, thatallows inmate messaging device 504 to download the instructions 528 fromthe portable/external/remote storage medium.

Memory resource 524 can be a non-transitory machine-readable medium. Amachine readable storage medium may be any electronic, magnetic,optical, or other physical storage device that stores executableinstructions. Thus, machine readable storage medium may be, for example,Random Access Memory (RAM), an Electrically-Erasable ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EEPROM), a storage drive, an optical disc, and thelike. The executable instructions may be “installed” on the inmatemessaging device 504 illustrated in FIG. 5. The machine readable storagemedium may be a portable, external or remote storage medium, forexample, that allows the inmate messaging device 504 to download theinstructions from the portable/external/remote storage medium. In thissituation, the executable instructions may be part of an “installationpackage”. As described herein, the machine readable storage medium maybe encoded with executable instructions related to inmate textcommunication. That is, using processing resource 522, the machinereadable storage medium may instruct an inmate messaging device 504 tocommunicate a text message via Wi-Fi radio 526, among other operations

Processing resource 522 may execute communicate a text message via aWi-Fi radio instructions 428 stored in memory resource 524 tocommunicate a text message via a Wi-Fi radio, where the Wi-Fi radio isassociated with an active predetermined and unique telephone numberselected from a group of reserved predetermined and unique telephonenumbers.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a system 633 for inmate textcommunication via Wi-Fi radio consistent with the disclosure. As shownin FIG. 6, system 633 includes an inmate messaging device 604 (e.g.,inmate messaging device 104 and 504, previously described in connectionwith FIGS. 1 and 5, respectively), mobile device 606 (e.g., mobiledevice 106, previously described in connection with FIG. 1), and server608 (e.g., server 108, previously described in connection with FIG. 1).

Inmate messaging device 604 can include a Wi-Fi radio (e.g., Wi-Fi radio526, previously described in connection with FIG. 5). The Wi-Fi radiocan communicate a text message through server 608 with mobile device 606via the Wi-Fi radio. For example, inmate messaging device 604 can sendand/or receive a text message from mobile device 606. The text messagecan be sent and/or received through server 608.

The Wi-Fi radio of inmate messaging device 604 can be associated with anactive predetermined and unique telephone number. The activepredetermined and unique telephone number can be selected from a groupof reserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers. As previouslydescribed in connection with FIG. 1, each respective telephone number ofthe group of reserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers can bea North American Numbering Plan number. Inmate messaging device 604 canutilize the active predetermined and unique telephone number associatedwith inmate messaging device 604 to send a text message to mobile device606 through server 608, and mobile device 606 can utilize the activepredetermined and unique telephone number associated with inmatemessaging device 604 to send a text message to inmate messaging device604 through server 608.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a method 730 for inmate textcommunication via Wi-Fi radio consistent with the disclosure. Forexample, method 730 can be performed by an inmate messaging device(e.g., inmate messaging device 104, 504, previously described inconnection with FIGS. 1 and 5, respectively) and/or a server (e.g.,server 108, previously described in connection with FIG. 1) to provideinmate text communication via Wi-Fi radio.

Method 730 can include displaying, by a user interface (e.g., userinterface 210, 317, previously described in connection with FIGS. 2 and3, respectively) of the inmate messaging device, a keyboard. Thekeyboard can be a QWERTY keyboard, and may be displayed such that aninmate may input text to be communicated as a text message.

At 734, method 730 includes communicating, via the server, a textmessage between a Wi-Fi radio (e.g., Wi-Fi Radio 526, previouslydescribed in connection with FIG. 5) of the inmate messaging device anda mobile device without use of a cellular radio by the inmate messagingdevice, where the Wi-Fi radio of the inmate messaging device isassociated with an active predetermined and unique telephone numberselected from a group of reserved predetermined and unique telephonenumbers.

Method 730 can include sending, via the Wi-Fi radio of the inmatemessaging device, communication information to the server. For example,the inmate messaging device can periodically send communicationinformation to the server so that incarceration facility staff, lawenforcement, and/or legal counsel, among other personnel, may reviewcommunication information from the inmate messaging devices.Communication information can include, but is not limited to, inmateinformation such as an inmate's name, jail identification number, and/ordate of birth, inmate messaging device information such as the inmatemessaging device identification number, the active predetermined andunique telephone number of the inmate messaging device, and/or thedevice password selected by the inmate, account funding information suchas account balance and/or how the account balance was funded (e.g.,funding transactions), and/or text message information such as messagessent, messages received, messages rejected, the content ofsent/received/rejected messages, telephone numbers associated withmobile devices messages are sent to/received from by the inmatemessaging device, revenue information, usage reports, among othercommunication information.

Method 730 can include returning the active predetermined and uniquetelephone number to the group of reserved predetermined and uniquetelephone numbers as a returned telephone number. For example, an inmatewho has been assigned an inmate messaging device may be scheduled toleave the incarceration facility. For instance, the inmate may betransferred (e.g., to a different incarceration facility) or released(e.g., parole, sentence has been served, etc.) In response, the activepredetermined and unique telephone number associated with the Wi-Firadio of the leaving inmate's messaging device can be returned to thegroup of reserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers. Thereturned telephone number may be associated with a different inmatemessaging device at a later time.

Method 730 can include refraining from associating the returnedtelephone number with a different inmate messaging device for apredetermined period of time. For example, an inmate with the activepredetermined and unique telephone number 999-555-1001 may be scheduledto be released from the incarceration facility and as a result, thetelephone number 999-555-1001 may be returned to the group of reservedpredetermined and unique telephone numbers. The telephone number999-555-1001 may not be associated with a different inmate messagingdevice for a period of two months. Refraining from associating thereturned telephone number 999-555-1001 for a predetermined period oftime can help to ensure a different inmate who is eventually assigned aninmate messaging device with the active predetermined and uniquetelephone number 999-555-1001 does not receive text messages fromcustomers who may have been communicating with the previous inmate.Further, the different inmate can avoid incurring costs for textmessages which that inmate may not want to receive.

As used herein, “logic” is an alternative or additional processingresource to perform a particular action and/or element described herein.Logic can include hardware. The hardware can include processingresources such as circuitry, which are distinct from machine-readableinstructions on a machine readable media. Further, as used herein, “a”can refer to one or more such things.

The above specification, examples and data provide a description of themethod and applications, and use of the system and method of thedisclosure. Since many examples can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the system and method of the disclosure, thisspecification merely sets forth some of the many possible exampleconfigurations and implementations.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inmate text communication system, comprising:a mobile device; a server; and an inmate messaging device including aWi-Fi radio that communicates a text message through the server with themobile device via the Wi-Fi radio, wherein the Wi-Fi radio is associatedwith an active predetermined and unique telephone number selected from agroup of reserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers, whereinthe inmate messaging device is configured to accept or reject a textmessage sent from the mobile device to the inmate messaging device inresponse to an input to a user interface of the inmate messaging device.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inmate messaging device does notinclude a cellular radio.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the textmessage includes at least one of: a short message service (SMS) message;and a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein the server is configured to prevent communication of the textmessage in response to a telephone number of the mobile device beingincluded in a list of restricted mobile devices.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the server is configured to store communication informationcorresponding to the communicated text message.
 6. The system of claim5, wherein the communication information is at least one of searchablecommunication information and exportable communication information. 7.The system of claim 1, wherein communicating the text message furtherincludes sending a text message, receiving a text message, or acombination thereof.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the server isconfigured to prevent the inmate messaging device from communicating thetext message at a predetermined time.
 9. The system of claim 1, whereinthe active predetermined and unique telephone number is associated witha user of the inmate messaging device.
 10. A non-transitorymachine-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processingresource to: communicate a text message with a mobile device via a Wi-Firadio of an inmate messaging device, wherein the Wi-Fi radio of theinmate messaging device is associated with an active predetermined andunique telephone number selected from a group of reserved predeterminedand unique telephone numbers, wherein the inmate messaging device doesnot include a cellular radio; and accept or reject a text message sentfrom the mobile device to the inmate messaging device in response to aninput to a user interface of the inmate messaging device.
 11. Thenon-transitory medium of claim 10, including instructions to communicatethe text message via the Internet.
 12. The non-transitory medium ofclaim 10, including instructions to communicate the text message inresponse to an account associated with the inmate messaging devicehaving a sufficient monetary balance.
 13. The non-transitory medium ofclaim 10, including instructions to unlock the inmate messaging devicein response to receiving a device password associated with the inmatemessaging device and communicate the text message without receipt of anapplication level password in response to receiving an input to theinmate messaging device.
 14. The non-transitory medium of claim 10,including instructions to block the mobile device from communicatingfuture text messages in response to a user input.
 15. A method,comprising: communicating, via a server, a text message between a Wi-Firadio of an inmate messaging device and a mobile device without use of acellular radio by the inmate messaging device, wherein the Wi-Fi radioof the inmate messaging device is associated with an activepredetermined and unique telephone number selected from a group ofreserved predetermined and unique telephone numbers; accepting a textmessage sent from the mobile device to the inmate messaging device inresponse to an input provided to a user interface of the inmatemessaging device prior to displaying message content of the acceptedtext message; and rejecting a text message sent from the mobile deviceto the inmate messaging device in response to an input provided to theuser interface of the inmate messaging device without displaying messagecontent of the rejected text message.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the method includes funding an account associated with theinmate messaging device by receiving, via the user interface of theinmate messaging device, funding via a funding mechanism.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein the method includes funding an account associatedwith the inmate messaging device by communicating, via the Wi-Fi radioof the inmate messaging device, a predefined funding request textmessage to the mobile device.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein themethod includes returning the active predetermined and unique telephonenumber to the group of reserved predetermined and unique telephonenumbers as a returned telephone number.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the method includes refraining from associating the returnedtelephone number with a different inmate messaging device for apredetermined period of time.
 20. The system of claim 1, wherein theinmate messaging device is configured to display at least one of: a nameof an inmate associated with the inmate messaging device via the userinterface of the inmate messaging device; an account history, whereinthe account history includes an account balance, funding transactions,messaging transactions, rental fees, credits, or combination thereof;display; and contacts the inmate messaging device can communicate a textwith.